Knockdown furniture assembly



N. MAYER KNOCKDCWN FURNITURE ASSEMBLY Original Filed Oct. 26, 1954 Dec. 19, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR M4 T/l/I/V MA m1 BY 2 ATTORNEY N. MAYER KNOCKDOWN FURNITURE ASSEMBLY Dec. 19, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Oct.

w Wm M m o Y r EA T WM A I M n m N United States Patent 3,013,670 KNOCKDGWN FURNITURE ASSEMBLY Nathan Mayer, 5 Spring Road, Yonkers, N.Y. Continuation of application Ser. No. 464,749, Oct. 2c, 1954. This application Aug. 26, 1959, Ser. No. 836,574 13 Claims. (Cl. 211-448) The present invention relates to the manufacture of multiple-part prefabricated assemblies, and in particular to knock down furniture units for assembly of tables, chairs, benches, stools and similar articles. This is a continuation of my earlier filed application Serial No. 464,749 filed October 26, 1954, and entitled Knock Down Furniture Assembly, now abandoned.

The many advantages derived from prefabricated knockdown assemblies, suggest the adaptation of such techniques to the manufacture of articles of furniture. For example, in the construction of a table, it is known to assemble a top or body section and individual leg sections by nuts and bolts and similar fixtures. The thus assembled three-part table, which normally would take up a relatively large space, may be dismantled for storage in a comparatively small area and/or for shipment without concern for dead air space and the attendant increased cost. To facilitate the assembly, manufacturers frequently package appropriate tools with the prefabricated parts which tools are employed in making the required mechanical connections. Whether supplied by the manufacturer or not, the need for such tools and/or the use of separate fixtures, generally detracts from saleability. It is not infrequent that the assembly fixtures and parts get lost, or the consumer experiences difficulty in effecting the most simple mechanical assembly which involves the employment of tools. As a practical matter, utter simplicity is the keynote to saleability and widespread consumer acceptance.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multiple-part knock down assembly, particularly suited to the manufacture of various articles of furniture, which obviates one or more of the aforesaid difficulties. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the invention to provide a knock down furniture assembly which is integrally constructed and arranged such that fabrication may be achieved simply, with ordinary skill, and without the need of attachment fixtures or assembly tools.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide multiple part knock down furniture assemblies for prefabricating chairs, tables and the like, which when assembled exhibit mechanical strength and rigidity, and are compatible with ornamental and aesthetic requirements.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a multiple-part prefabricated unit which may be readily assembled into common household articles of furniture and easily dismantled into a compact package for handling, storage and shipment.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features of the invention, and specifically applied to the construction of a table, there is provided a knock down assembly including a. top, leg sections, and a brace section. top and leg sections are arranged for releasable engagement, whereby the leg sections may be secured in depending relation to the top section, the securing means being locked against release by the assembly of the brace section with the leg sections.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be best appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of several presently preferred, but nonethe- Cooperating securing means integral with the less illustrative forms of the invention, when taken: in

conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially exploded, of a knock down table assembly, demonstrating features of the present invention; 7

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of a part of the illustrative assembly of FIG. 1 with parts broken away; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of the present invention.

Preliminary to detailed reference to the drawings, which relate specifically to the construction of tables in ccordance with the present invention, it is to be again stressed that the structures to be described find application in the assembly of other articles of furniture, such as chairs, benches, and stools as Well as in the uniting of other types of prefabricated units.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, there is shown a multiple-part table assembly 10 which includes a top section 12, leg sections 14, 14' and a brace section 16. The individual components of the table assembly 10 may be fabricated of any appropriate wrought metal, united in accordance with aesthetic requirements and by techniques which are well understood per se.

The top section is illustrated as a lattice pattern work of wrought metal members arranged to define an opening which is adapted to receive an insert 18, such as the illustrated glass plate. The top section or main body 12 includes long rods 12a extending throughout the length of the top and defining the opposite sides thereof; intermediate length rods 12b extending cross wise of the rods 12a and defining opposite ends for the main body; and short length rods 12c parallel to the longer length rods 12a and connected between the cross rods 12b. Other decorative inserts are equally contemplated, such as marbleized formica, brass trays, and tiles. The lattice construction of the top 12 includes sets of cross bars 20, 22 and 20', 22 extending across the width of the table top and disposed symmetrically of its central transverse axis. The cross bars are spaced inwardly of the opposite ends of the table top 10, and as will appear hereinafter, serve in effecting the releasable attachment of the leg sections 14, 1d. The outwardly disposedcrossibars 20, 20 of the respective sets may be nominally designated as pivot or mount members, while the innermost cross bars 22, 22' may be designated as abutment or mount members.

The leg sections 14, 14' which are completely similar in construction and interchangeable, have been designated by like numerals with primes applied thereto and include upstanding legs 24, 26, and 24', 26 which are joined together by transversely extending cross bars 28, 28. The cross bars 28, 28 are spaced above the floorengaging ends of the legs 24, 26 and 24126 while the uppermost ends are formed respectively with integral and laterally offset securement parts 30, 32, and 30', 32'

extending at acute angles with respect to the legs proper. V j

Each of the laterally otfset securement parts projects outwardly in relation to the leg sections and terminates in a downwardly formed hooked end, generally designated by the numeral 34.

The brace section 16, which serves as a shelf, includes a plurality of parallel and spaced-apart longitudinally extending tie members 36, each of which terminates in hooked ends 38, 33'. The longitudinally-extending tie members 35 are joined togetheradjacent their opposite ends by transversely extending cross bars or braces 40, 40 disposed symmetrically of the transverse center axis of the brace section 1.5. Between the opposite sides of the tie members 36, there is arranged a number of inter- ,rnediate side rods 36a which are parallel to each other and to the tie members.

A typical assembly operation will be described in detail to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the present invention.

The dismantled parts 12, 14, 14' and 16 are removed from the shipping carton and the assembly begun by placing the table top or main body section 12 with its uppermost surface in contact with the floor, or other suitable support. The hooked ends 3-1 of the lateral securement parts are then engaged over the pivot bars, for example as shown at the left end of FIG. 1, such engagement being effected with the leg section 14 at a more acute angle relative to the table top 12 than the final supported or assembled position illustrated in FIG. 1. Thereupon, the leg section 14 is rocked or pivoted about the member until the securement parts 30, 32 are brought into bearing engagement beneath the abutment member 22. The other leg section 14', shown detached in FIG. 1, is likewise engaged to bring the same into the supported or assembled position shown in FIG. 2. When thus engaged, the leg sections 14, 14 diverge in relation to each other at an angle dependent upon offsetting of the securement parts 30, 32 and 32', which respectively bear against and underlie the cross bars 22, 22. The assembly of the top 12 and the leg sections 14, 14' are then brought to the upright position by turning the table right side up, using the hands to hold the leg sections in the outwardly diverging position illustrated.

Thereupon, the shelf or brace section 16 with its hooked ends 38, 38 projecting downwardly, may be placed on the floor or support immediately beneath the table section 16. Urging the leg sections 14, 14' outwardly, the opposite hooked ends of the brace section 16 are engaged over the cross bars 28, 23' of the leg sections. The components are dimensioned in relation to each other such that a downward force is required on the brace section 16 to snap the same in place, thus assuring a snug and rattleproof assembly between the respective components 12, 14, 14 and 16, of the knock down table. Finally, the insert 18 is placed in position.

The dismantling operation is equally simple and merely requires the removal of the insert 18, release of the shelf or brace section 16, and disengagement of the respective leg sections 14, 14'.

When assembled, it is seen that the respective cross bars 20, 22 serve to seat and laterally confine the securement parts 30, 32 of the leg sections against movement in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the table top 12. The leg sections may be oriented in relation to the transverse dimensions of the table top 10, by forming appropriate depressions on the upper surfaces of the cross bars 20, which register with and seat the hooked ends 34 and by further aligned depressions on the undersurface of the cross bar 22 which seat the adjacent bearing portions of the securement parts. When engaged, the longitudinally-extending tie members 36 of the brace section 16 tension or bias the leg sections 14, 14 toward each other which urges the securement parts into firm seating engagement with the cross bars or abutment members 22, 22'.

In FIG. 3, there is illustrated a further embodiment which is only partially shown in that the overall assembly is the same as that of FIG. 1. The structure of FIG. 3 differs from that shown in FIG. 1 in the arrangement of the securement or supporting parts of the respective leg sections, and the bracing effect exerted by the shelf-like support or brace section. Specifically, the knock down assembly includes a top section 42, a pair of leg sections 44 and a brace section 46. The top section 42 is made up of longer side rods 42a at the opposite sides thereof, cross bars 42b extending across the ends of top section and joining together the longer side rods 42a, and short length rods 42c parallel to and intermediate of the longer rods 42a. The top section 42 includes sets of cross bars 48, 50 extending transversely thereof and at opposite ends. In this embodiment, the cross bars 48 may be designated as the abutment or mount members While the cross bars 5%) may be designated as the pivot or mount members.

The leg section 44 includes legs 52, 54 joined by a transversely extending cross bar 56. The legs 52, 54 are formed with integral and inwardly directed securement parts 56, 58 each of which terminates in a downwardlyfacing hooked end, generally designated by the numeral (ii). The leg sections 44 differ from those illustrated in FIG. 1 in that the securement part 60 extends generally at an obtuse angle in relation to the leg 52, 54 rather than at an acute angle as illustrated in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the leg sections 44, are engaged by hooking the inturne l ends 60 over the cross bars 50 with the leg sections disposed from the final assembled position. The final assembly requires the spreading of the leg sections 44 until the szcurernent parts 56, 53 come to bear beneath the abutment members 48.

T he brat ing section 46 includes longitudinally extending tie members 60 which terminate in hooked ends 62 engaged over and about the outer sides of the cross members or bars 56 of the leg sections. In this embodiment, the leg sections 44 are biased outwardly with respect to each other and the tie members 60 serve as Spreaders due to the snug fitting and bearing contact between the cross members 64 disposed symmetrically of and at opposite ends of the bracing section 46. In that the details of the assembly shown in FIG. 3 are the same as that illustrated in FIG. 1 except as specifically enumerated hereinabove, further description will be dispensed with.

Upon a consideration of the several illustrative embodiments of the present invention, it Will be seen that there has been provided a knock down furniture assembly which may be fabricated and dismantled with equal simplicity, which knock down assembly requires no fixtures or tools to effectuate assembly or dismantling. When once assembled, the several parts cooperate to provide a rattle-proof unit which for all intents and purposes may be considered as a unitary structure. The snap lock action obtainable with the brace section is effective with proper fitting of the parts in relation to each other to impart sufficient rigidity to the assembly. However, the slight yieldability found in most wrought metal parts permits release when the several parts are to be dismantled for storage, shipment and the like.

Among the many modifications contemplated in accordance with the present invention, is the construction of chairs and stools and further articles of furniture. In such constructions, the main body portion which is assembled with the leg and brace sections would take the form of a seat, or a seat having an integral back rest. Still further, the leg and brace assembly described may be employed with solid tops, such as of wood, by the securement of appropriate fixtures to the undersurface of the top.

Accordingly, the appended claims should be interpreted in a manner consistent with the disclosure herein; in some instances certain features of the invention will be used without a corresponding use of other features.

What I claim is:

1. A multiple-part furniture assembly including a top, removable leg sections depending from said top, cooperating means on said top and each of said leg sections for releasably securing said leg sections to said top, and brace means including a shelf-like member interconnecting said leg sections, said cooperating means including a pair of spaced apart and transversely-extending mount members at each end of said top and an offset and hooked securement member on each of said leg sections, each of said securement members being engageable over one of said pairs of mount members and beneath the other of said pair of mount members to laterally confine said securement members in relation to said mount members, said brace means locking said cooperating means against release until said shelf-like member is disconnected from said leg sections.

2. A knockdown furniture assembly, comprising a ma-in'body, a. pair of leg sections and a brace, each of said leg sections having an offset securing part for releasable attachment to and beneath said main body, means on said main body including spaced apart cross bars seating each of said securing parts in assembled relation with said main body, said cross bars being engaged on opposite sides of each of said securing parts to con; fine said securing parts against lateral displacement relative to said main body, and means on said brace engageable with said leg sections for locking said securing parts in assembled relation with said main body.

3. A knockdown table assembly including a main body section, leg sections and a brace section, said leg sections having cross members thereupon and being adapted to be dependingly supported from said main body section in assembled positions, said brace section being adapted to bridge said leg sections beneath said main body section in said assembled positions, said brace section having hook-like members at the ends thereof said leg sections each including an offset securement part adapted to underlie and abut said main body section and a hook engageable about a portion of said main body section in said assembled positions, said oifset securement parts being confined against displacement relative to said main body section in said assembled positions and being locked in said assembled positions by the hook-like members of said brace section, being placed over the cross members on said leg sections.

4. A knockdown furniture assembly comprising a main body including pairs of cross bars adjacent each end, a set of leg sections, and a brace, each of said leg sections including an offset securing part terminating in a hook for releasable attachment to said main body, said pairs of cross bars each accommodating one of said securing parts when in assembled relation with said main body with the hook engaged over one cross bar of the pair and the oifset securing part underlying the other cross bar of the pair, said pairs of cross bars confining said securing parts against movement relative to said main body when in assembled relation, and means on said brace engageable with said leg sections for locking said securing parts in said assembled relation.

5. A knockdown furniture assembly according to claim 4 wherein said leg sections extend downwardly and outwardly fro-m said main body in divergent relation with respect to each other.

6. A knockdown furniture assembly according to claim 5 wherein the means on said brace engageable with said leg sections include hooks integral with said brace.

7. A knockdown furniture assembly comprising a main body, a set of leg sections having securement parts for releasable attachment to said main body, and a brace, means on said main body defining seats for said securement parts, said seats being constructed and arranged to receive said securement parts upon movement of said leg sections in one direction into assembled relation with said main body, and hook means on said brace engageable with said leg sections for locking said securement parts in said seats and for maintaining said leg sections against return movement in a direction opposite to said one direction, the assembly of said main body, leg sections and brace being rigid and substantially unitary until disengagement of said hook means.

8. A knockdown furniture assembly comprising a main body, a set of leg sections having securement parts for releasable attachment to said main body, and a brace, said leg sections and brace being fabricated of flexible material, means on said main body defining seats for said securement parts, said seats being constructed and arranged to receive said securement parts upon movement of said leg sections through a predetermined thrust in one direction into assembled relation with said main body, and hook means on said brace engageable with said leg sections for urging said leg sections toward each other and for locking said securement parts in said seats,

. securing said leg sections to said main body, and means,

bridging and releasably engaging the respective leg sech g me t t a h k. me s m intainin said leg sections against return movement through said predetermined thrust, the assembly of said main body, leg sections and brace being rigid and substantially unitary until disengagement of said hookmeans;

9. A multiple-part furniture assembly comprising a main bodyincluding pairs of parallel cross bars adjacent opposite ends thereof, removable leg sections depending from said main body and each including a pair of legs and a cross bar interconnecting said pair of legs, a n oifset securement part on the upper end of each leg supported by one cross bar of said main body and engaged with the other cross bar of said main body and brace means including at least one tie member terminating in hooks, said hooks being engageable over the cross bars.

of said leg sections and locking said brace means to said leg sections and locking said securement parts against release until disengagement of said brace means from said leg sections.

10. A knockdown furniture assembly comprising a main body section having a pair of parallel cross bars adjacent opposite ends connected together by longitudinal members, a pair of leg sections and a brace section, said leg sections including a pair of spaced legs, each leg having a horizontal portion at the upper end thereof engaged over one cross bar and under the other cross bar of the main body, and a cross bar connected to the lower ends of the legs of each section, and a shelf member having tie members engaged with the cross bars of the legs and having means to lock the leg sections .to the body and prevent disengagement of the horizontal portions of the legs from the cross bars of the body.

11. A multiple-part furniture assembly comprising a main body including a mounting member and a pivot member extending adjacent to each end thereof, removable leg sections depending from said main body and each including a pair of legs, a cross bar interconnecting said pair of legs, and an ofiset securement part on the upper end of each leg of said pair, the respective pairs of offset securement parts of said leg sections extending beneath said mounting member and over said pivot member, said pairs of offset securement parts being engaged over said pivot members and said leg sections being spread apart into a prescribed relation with respect to each other to urge said pairs of securement parts against said mounting members thereby releasably securing said leg sections to said main body, and disengageable locking means engaging the respective cross bars of said leg sections for securing said leg sections in said prescribed relation with respect to each other, the assembly of said main body and said leg sections being rigid and substantially unitary until disengagement of said locking means and movement of said leg sections toward each other out of said prescribed relation.

12. A multiple-part furniture assembly comprising a main body including a mounting member and a pivot member extending adjacent to each end thereof, removable leg sections depending from said main body and each including a pair of legs and an offset securement part on the upper end of each leg of said pair, the respective pairs of oifset securement parts of said leg sections extending beneath said mounting member and over said pivot member, said pairs of oifset securement parts being engaged over said pivot members and said leg sections being spread apart into a prescribed relation with respect to each other to urge said pairs of securement parts against said mounting members thereby releasably tions for securing said leg sections in said prescribed relation with respect to each other, said last-mentioned means including cross-bars interconnecting the legs of each of said pairs and means releasably securing said cross bars together, the assembly of said main body and said leg sections being rigid and substantially unitary until disengagement of said locking means and movement of said leg sections toward each other out of said prescribed relation.

13. A multiple-part furniture assembly comprising a main body including a mounting member and a pivot member extending adjacent to the opposite ends thereof, removable legs sections depending from said main body and each including a pair of legs, a cross bar interconnecting said pair of legs, and an ofiset securement part on the upper end of each leg of said pair, the respective pairs of offset securement parts of said leg sections extending toward each other beneath said mounting member and over said pivot member and being of a length to straddle said members, said pairs of offset securement parts being engaged over said pivot members and said leg sections being spread apart into a prescribed relation with respect to each other to urge said pairs of securement parts against said mounting members thereby releasably securing said leg sections to said main body,

and disengageable locking means engaging the respective cross bars of said leg sections for securing said leg sections in said prescribed relation with respect to each other, the assembly of said main body and said leg sections being rigid and substantially unitary until disengagement of said locking means and movement of said leg sections toward each other out of said prescribed relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,172,355 Guest Feb. 22, 1916 1,769,190 Rush July 1, 1930 2,122,275 Bitney June 28, 1938 2,240,395 Evans Apr. 29, 1941 2,256,996 Bales Sept. 23, 1941 2,600,191 Beach June 10, 1952 2,794,496 Strand June 4, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 416,184 Great Britain Sept. 13, 1934 

